[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6279418,"mediaKeyId","2623580-165b790d70a968befe1379ec261faf9c","parentId",2623580,"title","Assumption Parish drainage committee approves multiple pump purchases and small project fund increases","audioSeconds",1630,"startMs",2127000,"endMs",3757000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623580-165b790d70a968befe1379ec261faf9c&start=2127&end=3757","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623580-165b790d70a968befe1379ec261faf9c/thumbnail_2127000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6279418/Assumption-Parish/Louisiana/Assumption-Parish-drainage-committee-approves-multiple-pump-purchases-and-small-project-fund-increases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279418-faa149e9ffd2d7d4382c56de77fa1e03/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157710&Signature=URahdUYdmKuJZPAs854X3Wr~iGCX2X6mUYHtL6DF4TMXz69W-HdCUVPt4z6Zw5CYsQtSGGZCVroMsUBnuqGR1aE6OE6hnIetjX-Qh6kHrWL~inMC6o4QwWS3BVmptCAh8MPgdAoiJuwz7sLI1k3tdJax1Ts~Bis~qalWiiAQSKc~s~96xzZEvqoZf5S~4GjMulTc-p6cttrGB7WoI7ZTzjdmcUMFtqs8Yg5N6k3XjbKC~SPrzhSBKJrT09ZFFNBogKNVhYRcXBDeOMJ7dbl~S9uOKRZQxBaLaQWDcpX0rUAunAl~A925VKqjUlOID7RpHlL5JqZ6hsLVn0FFz1pDJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","assumptionla","date","2025-03-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Assumption Parish Police Jury's drainage committee on March 12 approved a series of purchases and small budget increases aimed at maintaining local pump stations and clearing blocked ditches, and directed staff to seek a meeting with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) about state highway right‑of‑way drainage issues.

The committee approved the purchase of a 16‑inch low‑lift pump, electric motor starter panel and materials to reconstruct a deck at the Andrea Street pump location in Ward 3. Juror Matherne moved the motion; Juror Blanchett seconded it, and members voted to approve the purchase. The committee also approved purchase of a new 8‑inch electric motor and VFD panel and deck reconstruction materials for Hough Street, and approved replacement of a failed gear head and deck reconstruction at a pump on Cross River (Ward 9). Several smaller project budgets were increased to cover additional materials or labor after in‑the‑field discoveries, including sinkholes and nonstandard subsurface conditions.

Committee members discussed recurring maintenance gaps along LA‑1 where state right‑of‑way drainage features such as culverts and outfalls have become blocked. The committee directed parish staff to document emergency repairs and to arrange a joint meeting with DOTD, the local state representative and Senator Arlene (last name not specified in the record) to press for routine maintenance or reimbursement where DOTD work is required.

Several motions referenced funding sources by name: committee members said some purchases would be paid from GOMESA (Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act) allocations and some from capital outlay funds; in at least one instance a pump previously ordered with GOMESA funds was noted as already purchased and therefore excluded from a new purchase motion.

Votes at a glance
- Purchase of 16‑inch low‑lift pump and deck materials (Andrea Street): motion by Juror Matherne; second by Juror Blanchett; outcome: approved.
- Additional funds, Project 93233 (Ward 6): motion by Juror Carter; second by Juror Breul; outcome: approved ($8,860).
- Lower culverts to proper elevation, 200 block of Yule Street: motion by Juror Carter; second by Juror Fatterell; outcome: approved.
- Additional funds, Project 93245 (Ward 7): motion by Juror Blanchard; second by Juror Burrow; outcome: approved ($2,883).
- Purchase of 8‑inch motor and VFD panel and deck reconstruction (Hough Street): motion by Juror Blanchard; second by Juror Pattero; outcome: approved (estimated $29,945 originally; committee approved $16,012 option using existing pump motor conversion discussion).
- Additional funds, Project 93223: motion by Juror Blanchard; second by Juror Broom; outcome: approved (clerical cover‑sheet typo corrected during discussion).
- Additional funds and equipment moves (multiple small projects, warrants): motions made and carried for equipment delivery and excavator mobilization (amounts varied, typically under $6,000 per item).

Discussion vs. decision
Committee discussion included repeated concerns that DOTD maintenance on state highways (notably LA‑1) has been slow, producing clogging of ditches and risk of residential flooding. Staff and Jurors agreed to continue doing emergency maintenance where houses are at imminent risk, while attempting to get DOTD or state representatives to commit to regular maintenance. Committee members emphasized they would prioritize emergency repairs but that repeated repairs create a recurring maintenance burden on parish crews.

Implementation notes
Staff were directed to produce cost estimates and to coordinate purchases under existing state bid arrangements when possible. For larger engineering or capital projects referenced during the discussion (for example, deck reconstruction and motor conversions), committee members specified funding sources (GOMESA, capital outlay, project‑specific allocations) to be applied case‑by‑case.

Ending
Committee members closed with a reminder that pump lead times can be long (staff estimated ~12–18 weeks for pumps) and urged staff to refurbish on‑hand units where possible to reduce service outages while ordered equipment is en route.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Assumption Parish Police Jury Meeting 3/12/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Assumption Parish Police Jury's drainage committee on March 12 approved multiple pump purchases and small budget increases to address blocked ditches and failing pump equipment, and directed staff to press the state DOTD for regular highway drainage maintenance.","taxTitle","Assumption Parish, Louisiana","taxId",73376,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6279399,"Jurors approve $90,000 transfer for Veterans Park emergency pavilion despite funding concerns",92,6305000,6397000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623580-165b790d70a968befe1379ec261faf9c&start=6305&end=6397","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623580-165b790d70a968befe1379ec261faf9c/thumbnail_6305000.jpg","/articles/6279399/Assumption-Parish/Louisiana/Jurors-approve-90000-transfer-for-Veterans-Park-emergency-pavilion-despite-funding-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279399-26e67349e30ef5b3d87a811a79fc6ae0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157710&Signature=nxfmIoeBPBBa0TOQc26xmnEPk5QveD2hnzEchpYqdwuU7IpzVmPuHByrQURBaDnd9ISSRdHyFTqSqYWDGo-gFfD1YIlwYq3FzNG7SuuhzQNyhi3taMqKjJxy2vT9xuUaUGRopeFxv5T26e0WmDm5EhUVhDpdBdNGYw0vJBIp87rVxUTCIvr2-xvsBBV32bxNeBAIZtZOyQfz6yGU~aSxiV6yxIJiLYoD9kQsGcU1nwKeQ1LbLDMEW4lLkpE0qSRssewKsPCnC847qpxmvrW07CjD0VZblqu6MxUtGQrVXRS9Ge3qbbezz3Wuxn8yPi1T1UvMmK9YLK5hlw1cffEc5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Assumption Parish Police Jury voted on March 12 to transfer $90,000 from a Ward 7/8/9 GOMESA ring‑levy project to serve as matching funds for an Emergency Pavilion at Veterans Park. Proponents said the pavilion would be used during emergencies for sandbagging operations, distribution of supplies and other response activities.

During debate several jurors and staff voiced concern about whether a pavilion qualifies under GOMESA funding rules, which are intended for drainage and mitigation projects. A staff member expressed that the project \"is not a viable project for GOMESA funding\" in the form and purpose described, and warned the jury that if a funding agency later disallowed the transfer the parish's general fund could be charged back. Supporters argued the pavilion would directly support emergency response activities such as sandbagging and therefore had a reasonable nexus to emergency preparedness.

Despite the objections, a motion was made by Juror Pond (motion recorded as moved by \"mister Pond\") and seconded by Juror Carter to approve the transfer; the motion carried. The transcript records verbal back‑and‑forth in which at least one juror asked what would happen in the event of a chargeback and whether the general fund would absorb costs; proponents said the Veterans Park budget had the money available and that the money was being reallocated from a previously cut project.

Ending
Jurors asked staff to provide written justification and documentation of eligibility to support the transfer after the meeting. One juror requested that the documentation be circulated to all members so that any risk of a future chargeback could be evaluated in writing.","The Police Jury approved transferring $90,000 from a ward GOMESA ring levee project to match funds for an Emergency Pavilion at Veterans Park; some jurors questioned whether the expenditure meets GOMESA eligibility rules and warned of potential chargebacks.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6279404,"Resident removed from Bertrand Sewer District, jurors vote to reimburse monthly charges dating to October 2024",0,11213000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623580-165b790d70a968befe1379ec261faf9c&start=11213&end=11213","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623580-165b790d70a968befe1379ec261faf9c/thumbnail_11213000.jpg","/articles/6279404/Assumption-Parish/Louisiana/Resident-removed-from-Bertrand-Sewer-District-jurors-vote-to-reimburse-monthly-charges-dating-to-October-2024","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279404-9200a83180dc79c227f10a1ecfd5ba26/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157711&Signature=nNupgfBgU0MzD-2tkM~y8maQkvxavpgtstmCmi-vkJMj5-jWrWODGOkVxo4buvodGh6i~uKkiHlMOfNn11hxSpi8q2IZ07avWmmA7qUTtgXXf1ghB00lNi0-3YUNF2jz18uekH~Vf7LFn0HgJT5cbfzwbCKC~I3txQu71p7wJO29GvflkdF3rskAUU3D3P1C~0PrpdMQbP-E8rFksXAUD1NxQ6zimGL-lSjyimP1X6Vczjpn0KrPPj2x55IdUu0TR2Dx~mPNcaSl9OKHOjs5GkXTTwX6jUs7~gyGJ67hzSdyKe61eqmUewEPQx8yHrdNkNl1ZsRGL4CnSsWNHqsQcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the March 12 regular meeting the Assumption Parish Police Jury moved to remove 5447 Highway 1 from the Bertrand Sewer District and to reimburse the occupant for sewer charges billed since October 2024.

Resident Rose Cambria addressed the jury during a public comment segment, saying she had been charged roughly $33 per month despite not being physically connected to the sewer line on Highway 1. Cambria said a septic tank exists on her property and that there was no pipe running from her property frontage to the district's sewer main. Parish staff and jurors confirmed field probes and as‑built drawings do not show a completed service connection for that parcel and noted the proposed line on design maps never had corresponding excavation evidence.

Juror Carter moved to remove the parcel (5447 Highway 1) from the Bertrand Sewer District and to reimburse the resident for sewer charges incurred beginning October 2024; Juror Pineville seconded the motion. The jury voted to approve the removal and reimbursement and staff were asked to obtain the correct mailing address from the resident so the reimbursement check can be issued.

Ending
Parish staff were instructed to inform the district operator and to follow the jury's direction to exclude the property from the sewer district and process reimbursement.","The Police Jury voted to remove 5447 Highway 1 from the Bertrand Sewer District after a resident said her property is not physically connected to the sewer line; jurors approved reimbursement for monthly sewer charges the resident had been billed since October 2024.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6279409,"Parish begins 90‑day transition of grant‑coordinator duties; allocation to be split during handover",231,9665000,9896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623580-165b790d70a968befe1379ec261faf9c&start=9665&end=9896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623580-165b790d70a968befe1379ec261faf9c/thumbnail_9665000.jpg","/articles/6279409/Assumption-Parish/Louisiana/Parish-begins-90day-transition-of-grantcoordinator-duties-allocation-to-be-split-during-handover","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279409-05f545f56c96d4b8f4dfe88cdd5544c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157711&Signature=nqXU0s91muUyKaOkHr2XhROpgTvA1Hdem1FbwVMq-w61b~QicBJ5YaCUhyNR6YjHmgrCxKM2LE30k3k0KdCq5AI7rZ31PWQ6-Qxrsx9lsUVZM57oMwB-i0DOFyc2PBGUYjvQqEacoN8UOKN~dEnr552nHm53ADOeqViqrEXRWJjwqzX0AXZw2xuRWB8rNn~82p9K9c5EyJMWoef6V~Fkv1aWBVCBRBX3qlxS4AL7WDGKBdoyvzxThElLJv5EV6-ov4eRriS~2i1KhB6OoUBWyin7naFGGsPiaG5zm359IOO0qIEvDad8D9aq2vcOZRSpZNaYy94hJ8xpK3tocXv66A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Assumption Parish Police Jury's personnel committee on March 12 approved a 90‑day transition plan for the parish grant coordinator position. The move will shift duties from the current grant coordinator (Rietta—surname not specified in the record) toward another staff member (Tyler/ Tawanda—transcript uses given names inconsistently) while both staffers work together to transfer responsibilities.

Juror Alcorn moved the transition plan and Juror Carter seconded it. Committee members discussed the need for time to place the incoming staff member on outgoing email threads, to introduce the new coordinator to external partners (including South Central Planning), and to allow hands‑on training for tasks such as contacting agencies and troubleshooting front‑end grant documents. The motion calls for the $3,000 allocation associated with the grant coordinator role to be split between the two staffers during the 90‑day period; funding was described as coming from a mix of the general fund, drainage allocations and a one‑percent line (transcript language: \"split amongst general fund drainage and 1%\") by staff.

Jurors asked staff to notify South Central Planning and other partners that both staffers should be treated as approved contacts during the transition. A separate committee motion added the incoming coordinator to South Central Planning's list of approved contacts.

Ending
Committee members said they will revisit the arrangement after 90 days to assess whether full transfer is appropriate and to confirm the new coordinator's capacity to handle the role full time.","The personnel committee authorized a 90‑day transition of the parish grant‑coordinator duties from the incumbent to a second staff member and agreed to split a $3,000 allocation while training occurs.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6279414,"Jurors vote to issue RFQ for hydrologic/hydraulic study and engineering design in Lavenderville area",709,6591000,7300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623580-165b790d70a968befe1379ec261faf9c&start=6591&end=7300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623580-165b790d70a968befe1379ec261faf9c/thumbnail_6591000.jpg","/articles/6279414/Assumption-Parish/Louisiana/Jurors-vote-to-issue-RFQ-for-hydrologichydraulic-study-and-engineering-design-in-Lavenderville-area","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279414-c6fd3822a6d61192425fa46c9530c5a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157711&Signature=Fl7QJG~jPdjmlrFi3NhqraQi7DnDuj4VhR5dlUpSqvqWUbNMMcMqEO2mqhDuha0E7pfXwG6vAaJq8haHiIfo9jkQVUX9a6QVGfx0EpzvgBKWbo3VWP8eI8vG9o~d93X5gMbKPALHPbHHXjDC1UYXZ9yR1AeDQK3eVPhUOn28LC9RzTXlYXJiQU4CNquZJfwprHN0lgpsPkKi30Zi0RCnPSw3vUkOoFFuqiEhpO3lQHEA14EL~z2gnbhW4wnjLsMN~SkLx7UksvYxIu4frfM6XYdmnckUy6NcQMEYgMTpagfyXdPrVBZJ1xcZ6Q7oJ5~5uWtAsvtMdYqQ68NgHioI7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assumption Parish's engineering and grants committee on March 12 voted to request qualifications (RFQ) for a hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) study and subsequent design work covering a broad drainage area in Lavenderville and adjacent rural tracts.

Joe Lamore of GIS Engineering summarized field findings from site visits and mapping, telling the committee the study area would encompass roughly 4,500 acres from the railroad tracks east to the wood line and south toward existing plantation properties. Lamore identified five findings: (1) culverts under Highway 398 and the direction/volume of flow toward Sophie Street (existing pipes there are undersized); (2) need to clear and possibly dredge the Lavenderville drainage canal; (3) reestablish an outfall on the Talbot property that connects east of Locust Street; (4) review of an historical ditch that was filled after 2004 imagery; and (5) dredging or extending the Locust Road ditch to improve outfall and grading to the Georgia plantation ditch.

Lamore recommended an H&H study because it would produce a hydraulic model to determine appropriate culvert sizes, slopes and channel geometry rather than relying on assumptions. Jurors asked whether any immediate, low‑risk steps could be taken while the RFQ process proceeds; Lamore and staff recommended targeted clearing or grading where improvements would not shift flood impacts downstream, and noted ongoing coordination with landowners on potential outfall access.

A motion to go out for RFQ that included both the H&H study and the follow‑on design/specification phase was made by Juror Climbell and seconded by Juror Diaz; the motion passed.

The committee discussed procurement rules for GOMESA and other funds: jurors noted RFQ processes take time and that funding for engineering services is allocated in the parish budget; staff said they would prepare an RFQ scope, estimated schedule and an anticipated procurement timeline to present at the next meeting.

Ending
Staff will draft the RFQ scope to cover the H&H study and the design/specification phase, circulate it to committee members for review, and return with a recommended timeline and proposed funding source.","The parish's engineering and grants committee approved a motion to request RFQs for an H&H study covering roughly 4,500 acres in the Lavenderville/Plattenville area and to include follow‑on design and specifications, after GIS engineering staff described multiple drainage findings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assumption Parish drainage committee approves multiple pump purchases and small project fund increases

Jurors approve $90,000 transfer for Veterans Park emergency pavilion despite funding concerns

Resident removed from Bertrand Sewer District, jurors vote to reimburse monthly charges dating to October 2024

Parish begins 90‑day transition of grant‑coordinator duties; allocation to be split during handover

Jurors vote to issue RFQ for hydrologic/hydraulic study and engineering design in Lavenderville area